going over the fiscal cliff. meanwhile, the president talked about it today. >> democrats and republicans in congress have to get this done. but they are not there yet. they are close. but they're not there yet. and one thing we can count on with respect to this congress is that if there is even one second left before you have to do what you are supposed to do, they will use that second. >> we will continue to work on finding smarter ways to cut spending but let's not let that hold up and protect americans from the tax hike to take place in ten hours. ten hours from now. we can do this. we must do this. >> bret: it's not clear whether they can. it's not clear whether that is all of them believe they must. bring in the panel. jonah goldburg. kirsten powers if for daily beast. syndicated columnist charles krauthammer. begin with the president's statement today that happened mid-day. he framed it as ed henry said as campaign style event. middle class families behind him. didn't have a lot of details and has had the